JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Eva Riccio, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Riccio, a 2019 graduate of Granby High School, joined the Navy three years ago.
“I joined the Navy to follow in my family's footsteps,” said Riccio. “My father, Frederick, served 15 years in the Army in civil affairs and 12 years in the Navy as a boatswain's mate. My oldest sister served in the Army in civil affairs and has been in since 2012. My aunt did 12 years in the Navy as a hospital corpsman and my grandfather is a retired Navy Senior Chief who served during Vietnam.”
Today, Riccio relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Norfolk to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned that humility and respect will get you the furthest in life,” said Riccio. "You always need to put your best foot forward and take the initiative in order to get the job done."
These lessons have helped Riccio while serving in the Navy.
VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Riccio is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to our national defense by protecting our waters and being a quick response to adversaries that should not be there,” said Riccio.
Riccio and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making the rank of petty officer second class in two years and being on deployments that included Bahrain in six months, a month in Alaska, two months in the Philippines and Japan for four months,” said Riccio. “Looking at what I’ve already accomplished at the age of 21, there are a lot of people that I went to high school with that are still doing the same thing and have not progressed in life. Now, not only am I the youngest second class in my command, but junior sailors who are older than me look up to me and ask for guidance.”
As Riccio and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Being in the Navy is being a part of the most chaotic family I've ever known,” said Riccio. “Although we may have differences at times, we are all one big family and look out for one another.”
Riccio is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank both my CO and XO for looking out for me and letting me go back home to take care of a family situation,” added Riccio. “I’m very grateful for our leadership because they look out for us and take care of us like one big family.”